How often and for how long do you typically get to listen???

Se7en · « **on:** 15 Aug 2006, 10:40 pm »

I was wondering how much time most of you ususally get to listen to your system during an average week?

I typically work a 50+ hour week and try to spend at least one weekday evening outside of the home (to keep from going nuts). When I am at home, the SO ususally has something to say about how much attention is paid to her vs. the gear. Also my living room doubles as my listening room too.

During the weekend, I can ususally set aside good part of a full day (then the SO takes over)

I figure I can get 1-2 hours of good critical listening most week days.

5-7 solid hours during a weekend.

Plus I ususally have music playing in the background for all other things except movies.

R_burke · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 01:39 am »

Usually only about 2-3 hours during the week and about 8-10 on the weekends.

Almost wished you didn't ask this question, I would like to think I have more time to listen than I actually do. I've got a lot of money invested in those 500-600 hours a year

bsuhy · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 02:49 am »

wow. that is a lot of time!!!

i have a wife and a 2 1/2 year old son, so when i get done with the typical 10 hour work day, i dedicate the next 3 hours to my son, then once he is asleep i have responsibilities around the house.

so my weekday listening is about 0 most weeks, unless my son wants to listen to the wiggles or one of his other children music cd's. he can work the whole system all by himself ( cd player, pre, and monoblock amps ), and he knows how to turn it on and off, and change cd's. so, he gets most of the "critical" listening during the week.

on weekends i can get a few hours in here and there as my wife and i will take turns watching him.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 05:19 am »

Quote

How often and for how long do you typically get to listen???

Four or more hours each and every night....

Sleep vs music....I'll take music every time.

bgewaudio · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 11:00 am »

Realistically I get about 2 hours every week night in, and probably 5-10 on weekends. All depends on what I have planned for that w/e of course.

alan967tiger · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 11:06 am »

Hi,
This is my first post on AudioCircle and I'm now a little depressed!
I work long hours as a lecturer and usually will have marking etc to do at home most nights, plus I make things more awkward because I like to listen to music by myself; I will sometimes, say 3-4 times per week, listen with my wife on the sofa, but if I'm in the mood to listen 'critically' then I like a little peace and quiet. Now, with a 15 year old step-daughter and her friends coming to the house every day, I don't get much time to listen to my music, probably an hour a week. Then, most weekends we've got plans that don't include critical listening to Jeff Buckley and Dylan!!
So, like others, all the money I've invested in the hi-fi is a bit of a waste really. I'm looking forward to this time next year when we're moving home and hopefully I'll have a dedicated listening room, boy, I'm gona make sure that door is secure

Cheers
alan967tiger

Digi-G · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 11:38 am »

Welcome aboard alan967tiger. This is a great site, you'll like it here.

I probably get to listen about 3-4 hours a week and probably the same (3-4 hours, more if I'm not sleepy) on the weekend. I usually do my listening late at night so many times it's listening vs sleeping.

Also, I usually watch 2-3 movies on the weekend (with the SO) so the system gets a workout then too.

MaxCast · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 12:10 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 16 Aug 2006, 05:19 am

Quote
How often and for how long do you typically get to listen???
Four or more hours each and every night....
Sleep vs music....I'll take music every time.

And the rest of the time your posting on AC

MaxCast · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 12:16 pm »

Not enough. Since the baby (7 months) maybe 3 hours during the week and 5 hours on the weekend. And that time is shared between watching a game and music sometimes both at once. Oh yeah, add in one more hour a week when I grab another beer and go pay bills

pardales · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 01:38 pm »

5-6 hours a week, on a good week. A little less if I am really busy.

Soundbitten · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 02:08 pm »

What the hell is " critical listening " ? Critiquing the music ? The system ?

kfr01 · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 02:12 pm »

Quote from: Soundbitten on 16 Aug 2006, 02:08 pm

What the hell is " critical listening " ? Critiquing the music ? The system ?

Does it matter? For one man it is listening without distractions. Some might want to critique the music, others the system.

Se7en · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 03:35 pm »

Quote from: kfr01 on 16 Aug 2006, 02:12 pm

Quote from: Soundbitten on 16 Aug 2006, 02:08 pm
What the hell is " critical listening " ? Critiquing the music ? The system ?

Does it matter? For one man it is listening without distractions. Some might want to critique the music, others the system.

Critical listening to me is generally listening without distraction... sweet spot all to myself

I'm usually listening to the equipment, or adjustments/changes that I've made, checking out new music, etc.

I also live in a fairly noisy environment (right next to a municipal train stop). Yes, some people have children to interupt musical bliss, I have a 50 ton train which stops every 3 to 7 minutes

I'm using a Tact front end, so critical listening can often mean timing my measurement passes between trains to ensure that the 105dbs sliding mass doesn't take all of the bass out of my system. Getting a good pass sometimes takes hours.

-7

PhilNYC · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 03:52 pm »

Quote from: Soundbitten on 16 Aug 2006, 02:08 pm

What the hell is " critical listening " ? Critiquing the music ? The system ?

For me, in the context of audiophiling, I describe "critical listening" as listening for specific characteristics of the sound being produced by a system. Usually, this is what I do when I'm testing out new gear, trying new room treatment designs, setting up a new system, etc.

"Casual listening" is having music playing without any attention to the sonics; other people in the room, not nessarily sitting in the sweet spot, etc. Maybe I'm surfing AC or doing something else, although that probably counts as "background music" and not really listening.

"Listening for enjoyment" is having the listening room all to myself, no distractions, and just sitting in the sweetspot to enjoy some music. If the music deserves "critiquing", it usually gets the boot quickly and I move on to something else...

Since moving to my new house, with the "man-room" all to myself, I get in about 1 CD of listening for enjoyment every day. Before that, it was mostly casual listening, with 20-30 minutes of listening for enjoyment every few days...

JLM · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 04:17 pm »

I finally got a dedicated "man room" (office/listening, not hunting/fishing/TV) and do about 24 hours per week of casual listening (from the desk that faces the speakers to my collection and internet streaming) while paying bills, surfing, and computer gaming plus 6 hours per week of critical listening (to my collection from "the" chair).

My guess is that the amount of listening is based on having your own room, having a big collection, and having an outside life. As the kids are older I now pretty much have two out of three, just need to obtain more music.

budbrew · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 04:37 pm »

With a busy life and a 7 month old listening time is limited. I try to get up early and listen in the quiet of the early morning, or I stay up late. Both are enjoyable, relaxing times, mostly casual listening. Perhaps an hour or two on the weekends of dedicated music listening. Not much, but I appreciate every moment. I don't have a dedicated room; I would probably listen more if I did.

zapper7 · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 05:11 pm »

I hear all the baby comments, as I tell my friends in similar situations, try 2 of the at once

Yes...twins. That really kills the time with music, or awake, or asleep.
Anyway, still only about 3-4 hours a week. Would love to do more, eventually the boys will be in there with me too.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 05:32 pm »

Quote from: zapper7 on 16 Aug 2006, 05:11 pm

I hear all the baby comments, as I tell my friends in similar situations, try 2 of the at once
Yes...twins. That really kills the time with music, or awake, or asleep.
Anyway, still only about 3-4 hours a week. Would love to do more, eventually the boys will be in there with me too.

I've got two kids (not twins, but ages 4 and 2), and as long as the music isn't too loud, they actually like listening (and dancing) to a lot of music...which gave me some decent casual listening time...

Thebiker · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 05:35 pm »

Damn....you had to go and make me quantitate a pleasure. Roughly 90 minutes every day. That's why I spent the extra money to put a good system in the master bedroom. The main rig in the living room probably only gets a couple of hours per week.

Maybe I need to rearrange my systems again!

nathanm · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 Aug 2006, 05:36 pm »

Time available for critical listening (or otherwise) after work per day: 6 hours
Time actually spent critically listening: 1 hour or less
Time spent stewing about busybody neighbor who controls my life vicariously through guilt: 5 hours

Okay, so that's a slight exaggeration, but still true. Anyone know of a deaf person community I could move into?